disrupt

[ dis-ruhpt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to cause disorder or turmoil in:

   The news disrupted their conference.

2. to destroy, usually temporarily, the normal continuance or unity of; interrupt:

   Telephone service was disrupted for hours.

3. to break apart:

   to disrupt a connection.

4. Business. to radically change (an industry, business strategy, etc.), as by introducing a new product or service that creates a new market:

   It’s time to disrupt your old business model.

adjective

1. broken apart; disrupted.

disrupt

/ dɪsˈrʌpt /

verb

1. tr to throw into turmoil or disorder
2. tr to interrupt the progress of (a movement, meeting, etc)
3. to break or split (something) apart

Derived Forms

• disˈrupter, noun
• disˈruption, noun

Other Words From

• dis·rupter dis·ruptor noun
• nondis·rupting adjective
• nondis·rupting·ly adverb
• undis·rupted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disrupt¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin disruptus, variant of dīruptus “broken apart,” past participle of dīrumpere “to break apart,” from dī- di- ² + rumpere “to break”

Word History and Origins

Origin of disrupt¹

C17: from Latin disruptus burst asunder, from dīrumpere to dash to pieces, from dis- ¹+ rumpere to burst

Example Sentences

That’s a good indication of how you can disrupt and innovate in new markets.

From TechCrunch

Bitcoin, the first cryptocurrency, was designed to disrupt the power of governments and conventional financial institutions.

From Ars Technica

Under Ricardo’s leadership, we believe Jüsto is positioned for significant expansion as it disrupts and transforms the legacy grocery value chain.

From TechCrunch

The latest generation of deep-learning-based facial recognition has completely disrupted our norms of consent.

From MIT Technology Review

That, in turn, gave way to "zoombombing," the term for when Internet trolls join online meetings with the goal of disrupting them and harassing their participants.

From Ars Technica

Peaceful protest is welcome in America today—seeking to disrupt Americans looking to enjoy an NFL game is obnoxious.

From The Daily Beast

The power of intersex bodies is their ability to disrupt social norms.

From The Daily Beast

In the process, Apple may be about to disrupt an entirely different market.

From The Daily Beast

If that failed, they could disrupt the proceedings by threat of force.

From The Daily Beast

I think they will go ahead, since the West has advised Russia to not do anything to disrupt them.

From The Daily Beast

They'll flock to the diamond field and disrupt the operation, and we can move back in to some of the shot stations.

From Project Gutenberg

Each one is a cog in the vast organization and one slip may disrupt the whole arrangement.

From Project Gutenberg

One explosive charge per cell, of just sufficient size to disrupt the nucleus.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile the petty, local fight had started which was to disrupt this hope of Barton's, and thwart its fulfillment forever.

From Project Gutenberg

Finally, a capitular government in missionary countries was a physical impossibility, and would disrupt the whole Order.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• breach
• break into
• obstruct